2 Sports Could Soon Be Eliminated At Towson University
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) -- Outraged students at Towson University. Two popular sports could soon be cut and some players are threatening to leave the school.
Adam May gets answers from the athletic director.
Towson baseball players Zack Fisher and Dominic Fratantuono just found out their team is on the chopping block. Men's baseball and soccer were both eliminated in a new proposal.
"First thing, I thought of my teammates, my family, 'cause I'm nothing without them because I love them," Fratantuono said. "I'm heartbroken."
"We just beat Virginia in a scrimmage last week and they're top 10 in the nation. Doesn't make sense to me at all," Fisher said.
"Any time you deal with students' athletics and discontinue programs, it's a tough decision. It can be any sport," said athletic director Mike Waddell.
Waddell says the plan will help them be more competitive in other sports while addressing financial problems.
"I don't know if it's something that's a new development. Costs are going up. Everyone with a kid in college understands costs of higher education are always rising," Waddell said.
Men's sports will be whittled down to six teams and 13 female sports will remain in place to meet Title 9 requirements.
The baseball players now face a tough decision about their college futures.
"You know, I love it here at Towson [but] if baseball is not here, I'm not here," Fratantuono said.
"I'm going, too. It's tough. It's tough to leave my teammates 'cause I've grown with them. It's hard," Fisher said.
In a few weeks, school officials will meet with students and athletes before making their final decision.
The university president will make a final decision in mid-November.
